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GREELEY, CO - JUNE 24: With early results leaning his way, Ken Buck GOP candidate for the 4th Congressional District seat was talking with supporters at his party at Cazadores Mexican Grill and Cantina in Greeley on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (THE DENVER POST | Cyrus McCrimmon)

"We have just a little bit further to go," Buck told supporters during an election night party in Greeley. "And I am looking forward to serving the 4th Congressional District in Washington, D.C."

The race appeared over within the first hour after polls closed at 7 p.m. At that point, Buck had 44.3 percent of the vote — an advantage of more than 20 percentage points over state Sen. Scott Renfroe. The two other candidates in the race, Barbara Kirkmeyer and Steve Laffey, were at 16.2 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively.

Buck will face Democratic opponent Vic Meyers in the general election in the heavily Republican district. Meyers ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary.

Buck is a supporter of the Keystone Pipeline and has rallied against the state's renewable-energy standards, saying they lack compassion for Colorado families.

Renfroe, who had targeted Buck in television commercials and direct mailings, telephoned Buck early in the evening to congratulate him on winning the race. Kirkmeyer and Laffey also called Buck — as did Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.

In 2010, Bennet narrowly defeated Buck in the contest for that Senate seat.

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Renfroe and others knew that Buck was the heavy favorite in the contest. Besides having an overwhelming advantage in name recognition among the candidates, Buck also had the endorsement of Republican Rep. Cory Gardner. The 4th District seat came open when Gardner decided to challenge Democratic Sen. Mark Udall. Buck was initially a candidate for that race but changed course in what he said was in the best interests of the GOP.

During the truncated campaign, Buck accumulated a massive war chest, and at the end of the last cycle his $738,000 of contributions were more than the other three candidates combined.

"Obviously, we would have liked a different outcome, but we knew we were fighting an uphill battle the whole way," Renfroe said. "I think the primary process was good and healthy, and we all sharpened each other — I think Ken will do well in November. And whatever we can do to help him we will."

Regarding that Senate campaign four years ago, Buck didn't find out the final result until the following afternoon — on Tuesday he joked that this time around was much easier.

"I haven't lost a primary yet," Buck said. "I like primaries. ... I'm going to feel really good in November when we come out on top for the general election. I'm going to work very hard to make sure that happens."

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